Container opening mechanism



Nov. 18, 1958 c. M. CLEMENS ETAL 2,860,467

CONTAINER OPENING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 15. 1955 a Sheets-Sheet 1 Clarence. q". O/emenu' Clarence Wcume Nov. 18, 1958 c. M. CLEMENS ETAL 2,850,467

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Nov. 18, 1958 c. M. CLEMENS ET AL 2,350,467

CONTAINER OPENING/MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 15, 1955 Nov. 18, 1958 c. M. CLEMENS ET AL 2,859,467

CONTAINER OPENING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 15, 1955 wifl mm y m a 3% mwflw w 1 meewa vcc N W m: E

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Nbv. 18, 1958 Filed Sept. 15, 1955 c. M. CLEMENS ET AL CONTAINER OPENING MECHANISM BSheets-Sheet 7 ENVLNTORJ c\qver\e 'YYL CAemer-Lu' Clarence Wanna Nov. 18, 1958 c; M. CLEMENS ET AL 2,860,467

CONTAINER OPENING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 15, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 csamme QM- Cmmens C- \O ence NU. Sane CHTTORME;

nitcd States Patent CONTAINER OPENING MECHANISM Clarence M. Clemens, Livonia, and Clarence W. Jane, Detroit, Mich., assignors to Ex-Celi-fl Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application September 15, 1955, Serial No. 534,513 7 Claims. (Cl. 53-266) The present invention relates to machines for processing paper containers and, more specifically, to a mechanism which is particularly well adapted to handle paper containers having gable type top closures. Such contain- .ers are extensively used for the distribution of milk and usually done in the trade. In order to enable these dairies to utilize preformedcontainers, relatively simple and economical packaging machines have been supplied such, for example, as the machine shown in the copending application of James F. Earp and Clarence M. Clemens, Serial No. 411,306, filed February 19, 1954, now Patent No. 2,750,721. Machines of the type therein shown are adapted to receive, fill, and close previously erected and moisturerproofed paper containers. To keep the internal areas of such containers clean and free from contamination, the preforming machines which erect and moistureproof them are operated so as to close but not completely seal their top closures. Accordingly, it is the general aim of the present invention to provide a simple, versatile and automatic mechanism for opening such preformed and closed paper containers immediately prior to the filling operation at the dairy.

One object of the invention is to provide a container opening mechanism adaptable as a component of a small filling machine and which will effect automatic opening of a procession of preformed paper containers immediately prior to their presentation to associated filling and sealing units.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container opening mechanism of the above character which is adaptable for use with various sizes of containers and which requires a minimum of adjustment when the container size is changed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container opening mechanism of the type set forth which, when mounted on a small filling and sealing machine, utilizes the machine power drive means and movements for its operation.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation, partly in section, of a fluid charging and closing machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation view of the container filling end of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine of Fig. 1 showing the variousstations of the container conveyor.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken sub stantially in the plane of line 44 of Fig. l and particularly showing the container opening mechanism.

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Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially in the plane of line 5--5 of Fig. 3.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are fragmentary perspective views of an unfilled paper container ofthe gable top variety in successive stages of opening.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevation view, partly sin section, taken substantially in the plane of line 9-9 of Fig. 4 and illustrating the container opening mechanism 'with a container in the initial stages of opening.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevation View, partly in section, of the container opening mechanism of Fig. 9'arid showing a container in the final stagesof opening.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevation view, partly insection, taken substantially in the plane of line 11-11 of Fig. 4 and showing the initial closing step for one-half gallon containers.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of an illustrative container basket for use with the conveyor mechanism of the filling machine.

Fig. 13 is a modified initial closing mechanism, for use with quart containers, similar to that shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary elevation view, partly in section, of the'opening mechanism similar to that shown in Fig. 10 and modified for use with quart containers.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary elevation view, partly in section, illustrating the mounting ofthe container basket shown in Fig. 12 on the conveyor.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, an illustrative embodiment has been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention .to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling Within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, theinvention is there exemplified in a filling machine 20 adapted in this instance to receive a quantity of milk to be discharged in measured amounts into paper containers or cartons of the gable-top variety. The filling machine 20', after automatically opening the containers, fills, recloses, staples and finally seals them for retail distribution. The containers 21 are of a well known type made of moistureproofed paper board and are supplied with their tops closed but not stapled or sealed. These containers 21'are opened by the opening mechanism 22 embodying the present invention and mounted on the filling and reclosing machine 20.

Each of the gable-top containers 21 referred to above and illustrated in Figs. 6-8 comprises a generally rectangular body portion 24 provided with a suitable bottom closure (not shown) the details of which are of no immediate concern here. The upper end of the body 24 terminates in what will be recognized as the familiar gable top end closure. This gable top comprisesa pair of 0pposed inclined roof panels 26 overlying said body and surmounted by an upstanding rib 28. One of the panels 26 terminates in a tuck-in flap 30 while the other terminates in a fold-over flap 32, the flaps 30 and 32 both-coristituting parts of the rib 28. Each of the inclined roof panels 26 is flanked by a pair of triangular fold-back panels 34 which are connected together by a triangular end panel 36 also overlying the container body 24. A pair of rib panels 38 are hinged to the fold-back panels 34 and to the rib panels 28 on the inclined roof panels 26.

When the container is completely erected and closed, as shown in Fig. 6, with the tuck-in flap 3i) and the fold-over flap 32 in place, a polyhedral angle A exists at each end of the top closures between the various infolded panels thereof. In order to open the filling mouth of the preformed container described above, the flaps 30 and. 32

must be separated and the rib and inclined panels on each of the respective sides of the container are spread apart as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

General machine organization The illustrative filling machine on which the opening means 22 embodying the present invention is shown generally in Figs. 1-3 of the drawings. This machine includes a base or support on which is mounted a conveyor 42 and an intermediate drive and power mechanism 44 for positioning the conveyor 42 successively in one of twelve different stations. For convenience of reference, these twelve stations are indicated in the plan view of Fig. 3 starting with a loading station a and proceeding clockwise to the twelfth and last station I where the containers are given a final seal prior to unloading. While such a machine may employ a greater or lesser number of conveyor pockets and conveyor dwell stations or positions, in the particular machine illustrated, twelve conveyor dwell stations are provided as exemplary of the capacity of a small machine.

Outlining briefly the processing steps to which the containers 21 are subjected during the operation of the machine, an empty container 21 which is closed but not sealed is loaded into a conveyor basket 52 at the loading station a by the operator. The container is opened by the illustrative opening mechanism 22 at stations b and c from which it proceeds to filling stations d and e. A filling mechanism 46 bridging the left end of the table as viewed from the operators position, Fig. 1, provides half the total charge of milk or other liquid to the containers at each of the conveyor dwell stations d and e. After passing through a defoaming station 1, the containers are closed by a closing guide means 48 positioned along the conveyor length including dwell positions g, h and i. The closing guide means is particularly described and claimed in the co-pending application of John R. Wills and Clarence W. Jane, Serial No. 411,468, filed February 19, 1954.

After the filled container is closed, it is stapled and sealed by the stapling and sealing mechanism 50 as the container passes successively through the dwell stations j, k and l. The containers thus filled and completely closed and sealed are removed from the idle station a and a new unfilled container is placed on the conveyor basket 52.

Conveyor and drive mechanism The support or base 40 for supporting the conveyor 42 and its associated drive and power mechanism 44 in one illustrative form as shown in Figs. 1-3 comprises a steel beam framework 54 supported at one end (the left hand end as viewed in Fig. 1) by a single leg 56 (Fig. 2) and at the other end by two spaced legs 58. Over the top of the frame and around the upper sides is a stainless steel skirt 60 which acts as a sanitary cover. The conveyor is supported on the frame by a pair of spaced apart vertically disposed plates 64 and 66 mounted above the skirt 60 and on the upper part of the frame 54 by means of three longitudinally spaced tubular supports 68.

The support plates 64 and 66 as shown in Fig. I serve to guide the conveyor 42 as well as to support the various elements of the opening, feeding and closing mechanisms. In order to move the baskets 52 relative to the numerous stations, a pair of longitudinally spaced sprocket shafts 70 are journaled between the plates 62 and 64 and carry a pair of spaced sprocket wheels 72 (Fig. 15). Upper and lower conveyor chains 74 are stretched between the sprockets on the sprocket shafts 70 intermediate the plates. The container carrying baskets 52 are secured to and supported from these chains by means of suitable brackets 76. The brackets 76, which are pinned to the chains 74, have rollers 78 provided on their outer surfaces in order to engage in guide channels 80 on the respective support plates for guiding the chains 74 and baskets 52 relative thereto.

The drive assembly for the conveyor and the power transfer system for the opening, filling, stapling, and final sealing mechanisms is shown generally in Figs. 1 and 2. As illustrated in these figures, a single drive motor 84 is advantageously employed which is connected by means of a chain-belt 86 to a filling cam mechanism 88, an intermittant conveyor drive mechanism 90 and a stapling and sealing cam mechanism 92.

The intermittent conveyor drive mechanism 90, for advancing the conveyed containers from station to station and for holding them long enough at each station so that the station function can be performed, is provided by a conventional Geneva movement in which the Geneva drive wheel 94 is driven by the chain-belt 86 to engage with at Geneva driven member 96. The driven member 96, for example, takes the form of a wheel hav ing four radial slots 98 located ninety degrees apart and having a concave curvature between the adjacent slots. A pair of diametrically opposite drive rollers 100 are provided on the Geneva drive wheel to engage in the slots 98 on the driven wheel. The Geneva driven wheel is operatively connected by means of a suitable chainbelt 102 to one of the conveyor sprocket shafts 70 which extends through the lower conveyor support plate 66 and the machine frame 54.

Container opening mechanism Each closed empty container 21 is initially placed in the conveyor basket 52 at station a so that one of the gable-top polyhedral angles A opens in the direction of travel of the container 21 as it is carried through the various dwell stations by the conveyor 42. Means are provided to open the closed container 21 as it is conveyed from the loading station a through the opening stations b and 0 toward the filling station d. As the container is moved to station b, a plow 1634 (Figs. 9 and 10) engages the container within the polyhedral angle A. in order to exert an upward force on the container for separating the upstanding ribs and fiaps thereof, the plow 194 is pivotally mounted on a bracket 166 which is rigid with and extends outwardly from the upper support plate 64, as shown in Fig. 9. In order to prevent an upward movement of the container and thereby cause the plow to separate the flaps and open the container mouth, a guide rail 1418 (Fig. 5) is rigidly mounted on the plow bracket 166 and is canted to engage one of the inclined roof panels 26 of the container.

The plow 104 is generally L shaped and is provided with a broad blunt nose for engaging with and separating the carton closure elements. The particular configuration of the nose 116, as shown best in Figs. 4 and 9, satisfactorily prevents the container from being damaged by tearing or puncturing while it is being opened. As the container 21 is moved forwardly by the conveyor. the plow 194 swings upwardly and separates the container flaps 30 and 32 as'shown in Figs. 7 and 14. Upon further forward movement of the container towards station 0, the plow swings out of the polyhedral angle A so that it clears the fold-back rib panels 38, and the container passes beneath a spreader bar 112 (Figs. 4, 9, 1O, 14), the forward end 114 of which is tapered to receive the partially spread container flaps 30 and 32 from the plow. The spreader bar 112 tapers outwardly in the direction of conveyor travel as shown in Fig. 4 to further spread apart the container flaps 30and 32. This spreading action on the flaps also acts to spread the inclined roof panels 26 to further open the container mouth. The spreader bar 112 is adjustably mounted on a pair of brackets 116 which are rigid with the upper conveyor plate 64. Suitable spacing blocks 118 are provided between the spreader bar 112 and the brackets 116 to give the desired positioning of the spreader bar so that it engages only the flaps of the containers.

Provision is made for the reverse bending and spreading of the triangular end panels 36, which have a natural tendency toward a closed-mouth position due to the heath imparted b th init a g arin a h nt ne fl'his reverse vending' is accomplished at station c by a pair of swinging fingers 12d depending through aislot 122 in the spreader bar 112 and into the partially opened tnouth of the container. To achieve a vertical reciproc a t ory .motion of the fingers 120 they are pivotally mounted on a bracket 124 secured to a vertically oscillating sleeve 126 This sleeve is reciprocated by a shaft 127 (Fig. 2) inthe tubular post 63 which is oscillated by the above-mentioned filling cam mechanism 88 and serves basically to actuate the container filling mechanism As the fingers 1 20 continue to descend into the container mouth, actuating pins 128 projecting from pivot shafts 130 on the fingers 120 engage'with cam blocks 132. This engagement serves to rotatethe shafts 130. This rotation separates the fingers 1 20 which in turn spread the fold-back 'frib panels 38 to extend the told-back panels and the triangular end panels 36 outwardly substantially as shown in Fig. 10.

' The conveyor baskets 52 and the opening mechanism 22 illustrated in Figs. -1-4 and 9 and are adapted for useyvith a relatively large size container, for example, a conventional one-half gallon milk carton presently in commercial dairy use. Because a dairy may desire to package its products in various smaller units as Well, for example in quart, pint, one-third quart, and one-half pint containers, provision is made for adjusting the size of the conveyor baskets and the positions of the opening mechanism. An illustrative'conveyor basket 52 is shown in enlarged form in Big. 12. To accommodate this has- -ket 52 for use with the smaller orfractional size containers, an insert 134, shown in phantom in Fig. 12, is provided which for example will hold a quart container. 'In'order to securely mount the insert 134 in the basket 52, a key hole 136 is provided in the latter to receive a flanged pin 135 on the insert (Fig. which also rests on the bottom of the basket 52. When containers of fractional quart sizes are to be used, a false bottom 140, also shown in phantom in Fig. 12, is placed in suitable notches 142 in the side walls of the insert and is held there by a pin 144 which engages in a corresponding ear 146 on the basket 52.

When the smaller size containers are to be opened, the opening mechanism plow 104, guide 198, and spreader bar1'12 are lowered to a position where they engage the container closure elements of the smaller size container as shown in Fig. 14. As an illustrative example, two containers are shown in Fig, 15, the larger of which is shown in solid lines and the relatively smaller of which is shown in phantom and positioned in a basket insert The lowering .of the opening mechanism is accomplished by the substitution of longer spacer blocks 148 (Fig. 14) for those used for the larger containers such as the blocks 118 shown in fig. 9. The spreader bar 112, which is also smaller for use with smaller container openings, is easily attached is the spacer blocks by means of screws 15!) or the like.

Provision is .made .for reducing the ultimate separation of the spreader fingers 120 in accordance with the size of the container mouth. Because the filling cam cycle is not changed, the vertically reciprocating sleeve 126 which carries the pivoted spreader fingers 120 travels through the same stroke distance regardless of the size of container to be used. Therefore, the finger separation is varied by changing the height of the cam surfaces 132 which engage the finger pins 128, the upper portion 152 of the cam being pivoted so that it is easily swung out of the way (Fig. 14) by lowering the cam surfaces, as shown in Fig. 14, the effective finger actuation stroke distance is reduced and the fingers are separated a lesser amount than with the raised cam surfaces shown in Fig. 9. The above opening mechanism is thus seen to be well adapted for opening various sizes of preformed containcrs for subsequent filling and reclosing.

Fillingme chanism After the container has been fully opened at s ta tio n .c,

it is conveyed to the filling stations d and e where the desired fluid is supplied thereto by the filling mechanism shown generally at 46 in Figs. 1 and 2. The fluid supply source is an overhead bowl or tank 154 which is supported centrally over the left-hand end of the conveyor on the upper end of the left-hand tubular conveyor support member 68. The fluid is suppliedin predeterm ned amounts from the supply tank 154 by a pairof transfer flasks 15s supported on the vertically slidable sleeve 126 surrounding the tubular support post 6 8. A measuring valve 158 is provided on the upper end of the transfer flasks 156 for supplying a predetermined amount of fluid thereto and adump valve 160 is provided on the lower end of the transfer flasks 156 for discharging thefluid into a container. In order to supply the desired amount of fluid to an open container positioned at stations d and e, each of the dump valves 160 are provided with wings 162 or the like (Fig. 4) positioned to engage the upper edge of the carton fold-back panel ribs 38 when the vertically slidable sleeve 12 6 moves downwardly. Thislen gagement opens the dump valve to discharge the conduits of the transfer flask into the container. For large containers, one-half of the desired total amount of fluid is discharged at each station at and e. For smaller containers one transfer flask 156 is used or the measuring valves 158 may be changed to control the amount of fluid supplied to ,the transfer flasks. correspondingly, when the transfer flasks 156 are moved upwardly by the action of the filling cam mechanism '88, the transfer flask is filled from the supply tank 154 through the measuring valves 158.

While the container is being filled at station d, the container flaps 30 and 32 are held in the open position by a pair of spaced apart arms 164 extending rearwardly from the spreader bar 112 and on opposite sides of the dump valve 160 which oscillate between them. After the container has passed through each of the'filling stations d and e, the container is ready to be closed.

Closing, stapling, and sealing mechanism As a preliminary step to the closing, the filled containers pass to a defoamer at station ,1 where the fluid in the containers is exposed to a defoaming tube 161$ secured by a bracket 168 to the vertically oscillating sleeve .126, as shown in Fig. 2. A pair of preclosinjg fingers 170 (Fig. 11) on the end of the tube 166 engage the fold-back ribs 38 to bend the fold-back panels 34 and the triangular end panels 36 inwardly. A modified preclosing finger means is shown in 'Fig. 13 which is adapted for use without a defoamer and particularly'for use with smaller volume containers. In this modification the fingers 171 are mounted directly on a bracket 169 adapted to be attached to the oscillating sleeve 126.

From the defoaming station 1 the partially closed containers pass through the remaining stations (g-+1) where the containers are successively closed, stapled, and sealed. The closing, stapling, and sealing mechanisms 48 and 50 are described in the co-pending application, Serial No. 411,306 filed February 19, 1954 mentioned above and to which reference may be had for a detailed description.

Very briefly, the closing mechanism as shown in Fig. 3 comprises a main pair of stationary guide bars 174 and 175 which converge in the direction of conveyor travel to fold the carton roof panels 26 and ribs 28 together and close the carton mouth. Additional cooperating guide means are attached to provide selective and sequential bending of the top flaps and subsequent formation of the top container rib. Heating means, including a heater 176 positioned over the trailing portion of the guide bars 174 and 175 just prior to the stapler mechanism 50, softens the wax coating on the top paper layers so that the container is ready for stapling. Suitable stapling means 178 are positioned to engage the upstand 7 ing rib of the carton and are actuated by the stapling cam mechanism 92. After the container has been stapled at station j, it passes through station k to station I where a hermetic seal for the container is provided by means of a heating element 180, simultaneously actuated by the stapling cam mechanism 92 (Figs. 1 and 3). From the sealing station I, the filled and closed containers are carried by the conveyor to the initial station a where they are replaced with empty preformed containers and the cycle is repeated.

We claim as our invention: 1. A container opening mechanism for use with a machine adapted to fill gable top containers and including an intermittently driven container conveyor, said opening mechanism comprising, in combination, a swinging plow for engaging and opening the gable top closure of a container, a spreader bar for receiving the partially open closure from the plow to further open the same as the container travels forward on the conveyor, and a pair of vertically oscillatable pivoted fingers for descending into the partially open gable top closure in timed relation to the movement of the conveyor, and means for swinging said fingers apart to complete the opening of the closure and to apply a reverse bend thereto whereby the closure remains in a substantially open position upon the removal of the fingers.

2. A container opening mechanism for use with a machine adapted to fill gable top containers and including an intermittently driven container conveyor, comprising, in combination, a plow for engaging and opening the gable top closure of a container, a spreader bar for receiving the partially open closure from the plow to further open the same as the container travels forward on the conveyor, and vertically oscillatable means operating in timed relation with the conveyor movement for completing the opening of the partially open closure, said means being adapted to apply a reverse bend to the closure whereby the closure remains in a substantially open position for a subsequent filling operation.

3. A container opening mechanism for use with a machine adapted to fill gable top containers and including an intermittently driven container conveyor and a vertically oscillatable member for raising and lowering a filling device in timed relation with the movement of the conveyor, said opening mechanism comprising, in combination, a plow for engaging and opening the gable top closure of a container, a spreader bar for receiving the partially open closure from the plow to further open the same as the container travels forward on the conveyor, and a pair of fingers pivotally mounted on the vertically oscillatable member for descending into the partially open gable top closure upon the downward movement of the member, and means for separating said fingers to complete the opening of the closure and to apply a reverse bend thereto whereby the closure remains in a substantially open position upon the removal of the fingers.

4. A container opening mechanism for use with a machine adapted to fill gable top containers, the gable top closure of which includes a polyhedral angle surmounted by a pair of sealing flaps, said container opening mechanism comprising, in combination, a support, a container conveyor on said support, a plow on said support adapted to project into the polyhedral angle for engaging the gable top closure and initially separating the flaps, a spreader bar for receiving the partially spread flaps from the plow to further spread the same as the container travels forward on the conveyor, and means adapted to engage said gable top between said partially open flaps for completing the opening of the closure in timed relation with the movement of the conveyor, said spreader bar continuously engaging said flaps during the opening action of said means.

5. A mechanism for opening an upright gable top paper container, the gable top closure of which includes a polyhedral angle surmounted by a pair of closure flaps on opposite sides thereof, said device comprising, in combination, means for engaging the gable top within said polyhedral angle to separate the flaps, means for engaging the facing sides of said separated flaps and maintaining a minimum spacing between them, and means for spreading the portion of the gable top intermediate the flaps whereby the closure remains in a substantially open position.

6. A multiple station machine for filling an upright gable top paper container the gable top closure of which includes a pair of closure flaps on opposite sides thereof, said machine comprising, in combination, means for intermittently conveying a container through a series of dwell stations, means at one of said stations for engaging the gable top closure of the container to separate the flaps, means at a succeeding station for engaging the facing sides of said flaps and maintaining a minimum spacing between them, means at said second mentioned station for spreading the portion of the gable top intermediate the fiaps, and means at succeeding stations for filling and closing the opened containers.

7. A machine for opening, filling and sealing erected containers having a closure portion thereon comprising, in combination, a base, means on said base for conveying a plurality of erected and closed containers through a series of dwell stations, a preliminary opening mechanism on said base and at one of said dwell stations for initially opening the closure portion of said containers, a second opening mechanism on said base and at a succeeding dwell station for further opening the closure portion as the container travels forward on the conveying means, means for applying a reverse bend to the closure portion so that said closure portion remains open during filling, means on said base for filling the opened containers, and means on said base for closing and sealing the closure portion of said opened and filled containers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,914,369 Hohl June 20, 1933 2,357,799 Alrngren Sept. 12, 1944 2,570,267 Nordquist Oct. 9, 1951 2,601,480 Williams June 24, 1952 

